Frequently asked questions

This document addresses questions often asked by individuals and employers interested in Alaska’s Certified Public Manager ( CPM ) program, a University of Alaska workforce learning and performance resource.

1. What is Alaska’s CPM program?

The Certified Public Manager ( CPM ) program is a nationally accredited management development program created by the American Academy of Certified Public Managers. The program is designed to develop management, supervision and leadership skills in the public and private sectors.

To complete the program, students must complete 300 hours of training taken from a variety of topics ranging from entry level supervisory skills to executive management skills and complete a practicum within a local organization.

As organizations are faced with greater demands for services with less funding to provide those services, efficient and effective management becomes imperative. The Certified Public Manager program is recognized in Alaska as an effective vehicle for gaining or upgrading professional, technical and management skills.

The Alaska Certified Public Manager program is designed to provide relevant, practical, and job-related instruction to individuals, regardless of prior academic preparation, who have need for supervision and management training for their jobs.

The Alaska CPM program was carefully structured and developed through the cooperative efforts of professionals from the private, academic and public sectors. Under the auspices of the University of Alaska Southeast ( UAS ), the first series of CPM courses began during the spring of 1995.

In the fall of 1996, the program expanded to the UAS Ketchikan campus and to the University of Alaska Anchorage continuing education division. In 1997, UAS contracted with the Alaska Municipal League ( AML ) to implement the local CPM program and expand CPM delivery statewide in partnership with the State of Alaska Division of Personnel and other University of Alaska campuses (Anchorage, Bethel, Dillingham, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka).

University of Alaska Corporate Programs ( UACP ) assumed statewide coordination of the Alaska Certified Public Manager program in 2005.

While undergoing continual evaluation, the program remains dynamic and has been formally endorsed by the Governor of Alaska and the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration.

Note: Alaska’s CPM Program awards non-transcripted, department-issued, continuing education certificates.
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2. What is the mission of Alaska’s CPM program?

3. What are the goals of Alaska’s CPM program?

The goals of the Alaska Certified Public Manager Program are to: Set high professional standards for professional management. Create accesible, statewide learning opportunities for professional management. Provide a management development program that is nationally recognized and regularly evaluated against the highest standards. Offer a forum for managers at all levels throughout Alaska to discuss current opportunities, problems and issues. Deliver a well-coordinated series of courses as part of a logically developed management training program.

4. What is the Alaska CPM advisory board?

As set forth in the CPM bylaws, Alaska’s Certified Public Manager Advisory Board reviews and makes recommendations on all program policies and curriculum, and promotes the program to organizations and employees.

The Board is comprised of at least fourteen voting members from all areas of the state representing constituencies such as University of Alaska; municipal, federal and state agencies; Native corporations, labor and professional associations; nonprofit organizations; CPM instructors and graduates; and private consultants representing all regions of the state.

The Advisory Board includes the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Administration, the Director of Personnel of the Alaska Department of Administration and the Director of Human Relations of the University of Alaska or their designees as ex officio members. All other Advisory Board members serve two year terms.

5. Is Alaska’s CPM program accredited?

6. What is the Alaska CPM program design?

Learning levels
There are three sequential levels in the Alaska Certified Public Manager program: Level One focuses on supervisory tasks and the commensurate skills necessary to supervise successfully. Completion of Level One is recognized by the Certificate of Supervisory Management. Level Two is directed toward broader skills and introduces concepts and practices in management. Completion of Level Two is recognized by the Certificate of Associate Manager. Level Three focuses on the leadership and organizational responsibilities of managers. Completion of Level Three is recognized by Certified Public Manager designation.

Learning areas
Instructional topics range from entry-level supervisory skills to executive management skills. Each course offered through the CPM program falls into one of these learning areas:

General administration and organization
This learning area covers knowledge and skills in general management, the role, functions, responsibilities and skills of the effective public manager, managerial ethics and professionalism, planning models, the nature of organizational goal setting, organizational design, organizational assessment and policy analysis and evaluation.

Technical, quantitative and qualitative skills
This learning area includes workshops on accounting principles, the state budgetary process and practices used in public jurisdictions, basic knowledge of the capabilities, limitation and uses of computers, statutes and regulations that govern employment law, the responsibilities and potential liabilities of managerial actions, and the basic principles of administrative law.

Analytical and conceptual skills
This learning area covers knowledge and skills in problem solving, decision-making models, research design and data analysis, quantitative and qualitative methods, and the tools necessary to analyze trends for managers to make reliable projections.

Human relations skills
This learning area covers knowledge and skills in interpersonal and organizational communication, leadership styles and the impact on employee morale and productivity, motivation, including setting performance standards and performance feedback, the principles of work groups, and conflict management.

Learning competencies
Alaska CPM workshops and institutes provide opportunities for participants to apply the training to their work environment situations. The core curriculum incorporates the following seven (7) competencies.

Leading people
Inspires others to positive action through a clear vision; promotes a diverse workforce. Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit. Articulates a vision, ideas and facts in a clear and organized way; effectively manages emotions and impulses.

Systemic integration
Approaching planning, decision-making and implementation from an enterprise perspective; understanding external and internal relationships that impact the organization.

Public service focus
Delivering superior services to the public and internal and external recipients; includes customer/client identification, expectations, needs and the development/implementation of paradigms, processes and procedures that exude positive spirit and climate; demonstrates agency and personal commitment to quality public service.

Change leadership
Acts as change agent; initiates and supports change within the organization by implementing strategies to help others adapt to changes in the work environment, including personal reactions to change with emphasis on fostering creativity, innovation and being proactive.

7.What are the requirements for Alaska CPM designation?

Level Three: Certified Public Manager………………….300 hrs (30.0 CEUs)
Level Three focuses on the leadership and organizational responsibilities of managers. To earn the Alaska Certified Public Manager designation requires completion of the following:

An examination given at the completion of Level One. Specific guidelines are explained in the Examination Handbook.

Successful completion of projects at the conclusion of Levels Two and Three course work. The projects demonstrate each participant’s ability to apply the management and leadership concepts, principles, theories and techniques in the workplace. Specific guidelines are explained in the Project Handbook.

8. What is the Alaska Certificate of Supervisory Management?

Level One: Certificate of Supervisory Management…….81 hrs (8.1 CEUs)

Level One of the three sequential levels of learning activities in the Alaska CPM program focuses on supervisory tasks and the commensurate skills necessary to supervise successfully. Completion of Level One activities is recognized by the Certificate of Supervisory Management. Certificate requirements are detailed in the Checklist for Alaska Certificate of Supervisory Management.

9. What is the Alaska Certificate of Associatae Manager?

Level Two: Certificate of Associate Manager…………192 hrs (19.2 CEUs)
Level Two learning activities are directed toward broader skills and introduce concepts and practices in management. Completion of Level Two activities is recognized by the Certificate of Associate Manager. Certificate requirements are detailed in the Checklist for Alaska Certificate of Associate Manager.

11. How do I enroll in the CPM program?

Participants interested in obtaining Level One, Two and Three certificates are asked to submit the certificate application and fee at the completion of all required level coursework, before taking the level examination or starting the level project.

13. What classes are required and how much time will it take?

Anyone, whether they work for the public sector, nonprofit agencies or private industry, may register for a CPM course. Courses need not be taken in order, however, sequential progression through Levels One, Two and Three are recommended. Permission to take limited advanced course work before completing the Level One exam or Level Two project may be given by the CPM site program manager.

Participants are advised to plan for an average of three years needed to complete the required 300 hours of training. All University of Alaska Certified Public Manager courses are administered on a self-support basis, i.e. dependent upon student course fees for funding, and, therefore, are occasionally subject to cancellation due to insufficient enrollment.

Students who have successfully completed all required course work, Level One examination and Level Two and Three projects will be formally recognized as Certified Public Managers.

14. Are there tests?

Examination Level One: Following Level One training, students are required to complete an exam which demonstrates the skills and knowledge gained through the program and which provides a means for CPM staff, instructors and advisory board to evaluate student understanding of management concepts. Participants may be required to rework their exam for further evaluation.

Projects Level Two and Three: The purpose of CPM projects is to demonstrate constructive use of the knowledge and skills acquired in the core curriculum courses. As a representation of the candidate’s positive contribution to the workplace, project reports should be clearly written, professional, and indicative of creative, quality, leadership-oriented thinking.

In the Alaska CPM Project Handbook, the project requirements for each level are described in detail, including the steps in choosing a project topic, completing a project proposal, developing a project outline, and writing the project report. Participants may be required to rework their projects for further evaluation.

While support from supervisor and employer for individuals participating in the training is important, it is not required. However, participant projects are job related and hopefully of great benefit to employers.

In most courses instructors use a variety of activities which demonstrate student understanding and provide a basis for evaluating student comprehension of course content.

15. How much do the CPM training classes cost?

Alaska CPM course fees must be approved by the Alaska CPM Advisory Board. The CPM program strives to keep the costs as low as possible, while maintaining an effective educational experience. Effective Fall 2007, CPM course fees will be standardized statewide.

The fee for a one-day, 6-hour CPM course is $110*; the fee for a two-day, 12-hour course is $220*.

The basic cost for the Alaska CPM training program at this time is $4,840* for course fees plus $120 for CPM certificate applications.

Course fees must be paid by check, purchase order or credit card at the time of registering for each course or series of courses.

*In addition to course fees, any course may use materials, supplies, or services which necessitate an additional fee. Additional fees may also be charged for administrative and/or instructional services. The University reserves the right to change fees at any time. Additional fees may vary at community campuses.

Examples of additional fees include, but are not limited to:

2% network fee: The network charge covers rapidly rising costs, especially in the maintenance and enhancement of the university-wide infrastructure. The two (2) percent network fee will be applied on a course-by-course basis for credit and non-credit courses. Courses with applicable fees in lieu of tuition less than the lower-division credit hour tuition rate will be exempt from the charge. All calculated fees will be rounded to the nearest dollar. The minimum network charge per course will be $2. Distance fee: A distance fee is charged for each on-line, distance education course. This fee amount varies.

16. What kind of credit is awarded for CPM training?

A full day of CPM training is considered six hours. Participants completing the six hours receive 0.6 continuing education units (CEUs) from the University of Alaska. A permanent CEU transcript of course completion is tracked by the university system. Continuing education units (CEUs) are not convertible to academic credit.

17. How do I request a waiver of CPM classes?

Waivers of CPM courses are the exception rather than the rule. The philosophy of CPM programs nationwide is that students, regardless of their educational backgrounds, benefit from all CPM courses since the approach and course content are unique to this program. Waivers will be granted on a course-by-course basis based upon documentation that a college course or other relevant training course with essentially the same content as a CPM course was taken and passed.

No student will be granted a waiver without four years of documented supervisory or managerial work experience. All students, regardless of the number of courses waived, will be required to complete the Level One examination. No waivers will be granted in Levels Two and Three.

CPM

course waiver forms are available on this website or email a request to

18. Who are Alaska’s CPM instructors?

The Alaska CPM program has a variety of instructors selected with a balance of theory and practicality in mind. Consequently, there is a combination of professional educators and practitioners, all of whom are recognized experts in the subjects they teach. Instructors are carefully reviewed and evaluated by each CPM site manager for content expertise and performance in the classroom.

19. Does the Alaska CPM program have an appeals process?

Any student disagreeing with interpretations of the Alaska CPM policies may appeal in writing to the Appeals Committee composed of site managers throughout the state and the UA Corporate Programs CPM administrator. The appeals committee will render a decision and notify the student within ten working days of receipt of the written appeal. If the student remains dissatisfied, final relief may be pursued through the CPM Advisory Board.

20. What happens after the CPM designation is awarded?

Successful graduates earn professional designation as a Certified Public Manager and become eligible for membership in the American Academy of Certified Public Managers (http://www.cpmacademy.org/), a national professional association of public sector managers.

The American Academy of Certified Public Managers encourages each accredited state’s graduates to form State Societies. State Society members network with one another (hold meetings, attend additional training days, form a listserv) and may attend the annual national meeting. The Alaska Society is currently in a formative stage.

UAS Masters Program
Holders of Alaska Certified Public Manager designation may receive six elective credits toward the University of Alaska Southeast Master of Public Administration program.

Peer and Mentor Discussion Boards
Converse with your peers or mentor a current CPM student. Join Alaska’s CPM forum for managers at all levels throughout Alaska to discuss current opportunities, problems and issues.